June 26th, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) Costa Rican Foreign Minister, Manuel Gonzalez, and British Foreign Minister for Latin America, Hugo Swire, agreed to strengthen ties between the two countries and stressed their “shared vision” on climate change and other issues during a meeting in San José, officials said.

Swire’s one-day visit this week confirms the excellent ties between Costa and the United Kingdom, which have “shared views on matters of bilateral, regional, and global” importance, especially controlling the arms trade and climate change, Costa Rica’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The UK believes that Costa Rica is a partner “in this strategically important region, and is interested in deepening ties in areas of common interest, such as renewable energy, science, and education,” Gonzalez said as part of the statement.

Swire also met on Monday with Vice President Helio Fallas and Foreign Trade Minister Alexander Mora.